Old Style preparations for Christmas 2012!!!!!

kettlenic

pre my reformed days I subscribed to the goodfood mag - now cancelled but the sent a 'gift' which was 2 BBC good food cookbooks which I have not touched so I can keep them as 'new' for a gift!!

Kitchenbunny

With regards to making gifts - has anyone had any joy at turning a cross stitched picture into something like a bag? I've got a lovely picture that I'd prefer to use for something other than hanging on the wall.

Other than that, I've sorted through my presents already bought and checked how many cards I have left and paper, etc, and have made a small list of what I need to buy. I've got to get a few specialist Christmas cards (I found some cards with gothic style images on last year which were a hit with some of our friends) and I'm trying to find them again.

K xx

SIRENS

Hi fuddle,
Yes sorry just like bossymoo said(thanks!) my kids loved it last year, we did lots of little things like dyeing the milk green and wrapping the Christmas tree in toilet paper. It was great fun and made everyday 'til Christmas exciting.

Possession

Fuddle here's the elf thread on MSE:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2852028

BluePumpkin

The only downside to this is that I caught myself thinking 'is it Christmas yet?' :rotfl:

Starting to make lists of everything that I can do. No experience with jams etc but I can bake! Also trying to think of little things people like. Eg, so and so likes sudoku, so will try to get a puzzle book. Some people are so tricky to buy for!

I've also found the Christmas meal planner that I use each year, and I'm going to run through to see what can be made/bought earlier this year and how much everything is so I can budget for the food

7roland8

Kitchenbunny

With regards to making gifts - has anyone had any joy at turning a cross stitched picture into something like a bag? I've got a lovely picture that I'd prefer to use for something other than hanging on the wall.

What I did one year to save making whole bags was to buy either black r beige canvas style plain shoppers from ebay. I then just cvered the front par with personal appropriate fabric - with edges all turned in nicely of course. I got line dancing fabric for sister for USA, fruit for a niece and a shelf of books o fabric for friend. Also did one from a cushion front of cats.

happytails

Kitchenbunny wrote: »

With regards to making gifts - has anyone had any joy at turning a cross stitched picture into something like a bag? I've got a lovely picture that I'd prefer to use for something other than hanging on the wall.


K xx

I'd rib the edges of the square/shape of the cross stitch picture and then appliqu! it onto a bag id made/bought

:beer:

meme30

Well, I made a proper pen and paper gift list today, somehow it makes my Christmas preperations more official! I also took advantage of Arg*s's 2 for £15 offer to pick up a lovely Dr's set and a Nurses outfit. GDD 3 will love this and by the time I buy her a DVD that will be her all sorted. :j I just love ticking off the list!
I always feel better when I know what I need to buy......it's the wracking of my brain for ideas that I find hard. Once I have a list, I can then adjust my budget to hopefully buy in dribs and drabs untill my list is all ticked off!

Possesion:- I love your food hamper gifts. I am planning a cheese and wine pressie for DH's birthday. I am going to try and copy your basket and cellophane example. Probably will not be quite as neat tho'!!

Told my DD about the Christmas elf, she loved the idea!

Possession

meme30 wrote: »

Possesion:- I love your food hamper gifts. I am planning a cheese and wine pressie for DH's birthday. I am going to try and copy your basket and cellophane example. Probably will not be quite as neat tho'!!

Told my DD about the Christmas elf, she loved the idea!

A few careful bits of sellotape catches all the stray bits of cellophane! And some nice ribbon distracts from any messy bits. I already had lots of nice ribbon from an online shop I found on here, and pretty sure I have enough for this year too.
This is the shop, she used to have a ribbon sale quite often but doesn't have one at the moment:
http://www.jackiesfabrics.co.uk/store/index.php?cPath=21_100

DebtFree2012

This is a FANTASTIC thread. Thanks to all who have and will contribute.

I have made a start and bought 3 presents for my children from the argos sale that was posted on the grabbit boards. Very good value.

Also I have my list of ideas as they come to me which helps loads and have started a word document with has EVERYTHING on it. My to do list, my ideas, lunch thoughts, kids games, elf ideas, crafy things - all sorts - SO exciting.